Eye on Nature

***** EYE ON NATURE 2018 CANCELLED - DUE TO BAD WEATHER *****

Thousands of school children and families were expected to attend this year's Eye on Nature environmental event this April at the Auckland Botanic Gardens, however unfortunately due to bad weather it was cancelled.

With the vision 'to plant a seed and grow a young mind’ our annual event Eye on Nature welcomes thousands of school children and families to enjoy activities that promote eco practices.

Environmental organisations from around New Zealand have been partnering with us to host this event and will continue in 2019 with support from the six Auckland Southern Local Boards, Auckland Botanic Gardens and Second Nature Charitable Trust.

Learn all about Eye on Nature below!

EYE ON NATURE 2018

Eye on Nature 2018 takes children and their families on an experiential journey through our native New Zealand forest, learning how the health of the forest and all its inhabitants impacts the health of us all.

SCHOOL-ONLY DAYS 2018

Eye on Nature school days 10-12 April 2018 see close to 1500 school children immersed in Totara Forest at the Auckland Botanic Gardens. Children aged 9-10 from South and East Auckland, many of whom have little experience of being in nature, will become sleuth forest detectives! They will spend their time with passionate environmental educators who will guide them through a series of investigative activities within the forest. This age is the key time in childhood for the development of a child’s relationship with the natural world. Eye on Nature gives children experiential and action-based opportunities that will shape their attitudes and behaviours in adulthood. We are helping children to become environmental stakeholders or kaitiaki of the natural world.

FREE FAMILY DAY 2018

Eye on Nature culminates in a Family Day and is absolutely F R E E!

Open to all Aucklander’s, the Family Day will present a myriad of events and activities to entertain and educate young minds including guest speaker, Riki Bennett. Navigate the bush with Maori storyteller and environmentalist, Park Ranger Riki Bennett and discover how to identify native trees and the special uses for them in navigation, construction, food and medicine.

Many wonderful activities await Auckland families at this environmental family day: immerse yourself in the bush with Riki Bennett; learn how to build your own pest tracking system to discover what pests animals are threatening the forest in your community; receive the tools to make a pledge to become sustainable in one area of your life; learn how be a part of Predator Free 2020; blend a smoothie with bicycle power; watch cooking demonstrations; support cultural performances; and learn all about how a healthy tree means a healthy you!

WEARABLE ARTS 2017

The highly contested ‘Wearable Art –Funky Garden Art’ competition tested students especially around how they design and innovate when choosing materials used for their costumes.All entries were judged the week of Eye on Nature, and modelled at a fashion show during the Eye on Nature Family Day. Competition results were announced at the culmination of the show by Deputy Mayor, Bill Cashmore accompanied by Manurewa Local Board Members Rangi Mclean and Stella Cattle.